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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The practice of altar calls-calling people forward after an evangelistic sermon to make a public confession of faith in Christ-has gained prominence in the 20th century primarily through "crusades"...
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Don Quinn
Supporter
I am a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and have just been a member of this Church for the past two years. Prior to that I belonged to a Baptist Church for more than 30 years. In the Black community the altar call is a time during the service where people are asked to come up to the front of the Church for prayer. The Alter is the communion table that is considered sacred in both Churches. However in the A.M.E. Church there is an extension from the communion table to a kneeling rail where people go and kneel and pray. The process differs only in method as in the Baptist Church the Pastor usually prays over those who have come up and in the A.M.E. Church individuals come up to pray and then the Pastor or another minister or lay person will pray. In both Churches the period at the close of a sermon is called the invitation, this is where the pastor or another minister will say the doors of the Church are open and invite someone to accept Christ, join the Church or come up for a special prayer. This is traditionally done at the close of every service and in some instances after Sunday School. While this is not Biblical it is a custom that allows a person to confess their faith in Christ and asked to be baptized. There are only 2 doctrines of both faiths that are from the Bible and that is the Lords Supper and Baptism.
Cindy Jennings
Supporter
As to why churches have altars today--there is no good reason for them. The altars were where the Jewish priests sacrified the animals as a temporary propiation of the sins of the people. We don't sacrifice animals anymore since Christ sacrificed Himself once and for all. There is no need for an altar in a church today.
Ben Jones
Supporter
After being in Church for 27 years and hearing about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I was drawn to visit a Baptist church. My parents held the Baptist church is disdain. I went on Sunday February 2, 1975 to a little Baptist church in Toledo, Ohio. I heard for the first time in my life "Ye must be born again!" I have NEVER heard this in my entire life by anyone. I was drawn forward to the altar, was prayed for and had the pastor lay hands on me, and guess what, I received Christ as Lord and Savior! PTL Life has been wonderful ever since.
Bob Snyder
Supporter
The Bible does not mention the modern practice of altar calls that some denominations practice today. Depending on whether or not you adhere to the regulative or normative principles, you may or may not agree with them. Since they aren't discussed in the Bible, I would say they are not biblical. However, there are many traditions we practice today that are not mentioned in the Bible, making them unbiblical. That in and of itself does not preclude certain traditions from being practiced. Personally, having been in a denomination that employed altar calls for 19 years, my perception was that they were the product of pragmatic thinking. Employing emotional manipulation through music, lighting, and compelling speech hardly seems honest. There was a definite lack of emphasis on the power of the gospel. If the gospel of Jesus is not compelling enough, then nothing will be. To answer your question In short, they are not biblical. Ultimately it is a matter of adiaphora, providing the altar calls preclude any sinful behaviors, or teachings, as witnessed in some more charismatic circles.
ainsley chalmers
Supporter
45 years ago I gave my heart to Christ. It was the most exciting event of my life though my then knowledge of scripture was minimal. 3 months post conversion a mother rang me very distressed and relayed how her 20 year old son had driven off in his Ute with a loaded 303 rifle to commit suicide. I prayed desperately, and about an hour later he drove to my home. The words I spoke to him just flowed from me to him. The thought came to me to take him to an evangelistic meeting in a school. I’d heard of these meetings but never attended as at that time I was a practicing Catholic. There were about 500 worshippers in this school hall that night. We sat in the back row completely unknown by everyone that night. After a few worshipful hymns the jovial head pastor appeared. Without hesitation he described this suicidal 20 year old boy to a tee, his drug and alcohol addiction. He then invited him to come to the front of the altar. I went with him to the front to encourage him. He gave his heart to Christ that night and the power of God was present on both he and I. 40 plus years later his devotion to Christ has not waned. The take home message? An altar call saved this man’s life and likely has many other folk.
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